Introduction
Most religious men have their own favorite figure in the Hebrew bible. Just like me, I love to read and learn more about my famous biblical personality. The reason for this is that I am often reminded by His deeds and how I had wished I would know more about Him. To me, my prominent personality can be a model to anyone who thinks of Him accordingly. The one I will talk is none other than the one mentioned by all of God’s humble servants – whether they are as friends (II Chronicles 20:7; Exodus 33:11; Isaiah 41:8), kings (Proverbs 30:4; Psalms 110:1), prophets, judges, and so forth.
My favorite figure, as recorded in the Hebrew bible, was the only begotten Son of God (Psalms 2:7). When God created man, He talked to someone who is like Him (Genesis 1:26). During the time of King Solomon here on earth, he inquired who is He that ascended or descended into heaven? Who is He that cupped the wind in his hands? Who is He that established the whole world? Who is He (that is, what is the name of God’s son)? (Proverbs 30:4). The Messiah’s / Moshiach’s advent here on earth was prophesied in the Hebrew bible (Isaiah 7:14, 9.6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Malachi 3:1-2; Micah 5:2; Psalms 45:1, 6-7) and fit precisely the passages in another authoritative source known as the Messianic Testament (Luke 1:31).
In the Hebrew bible, “The Anointed One” or Messiah was mentioned many times over. How I loved to hear from it that the Messiah came from the chosen people of God – the Israelites (Genesis 17:5-7); yes, to the only chosen people whom God acknowledges (Deuteronomy 7:1, 6-8). God’s favor to the Israelites was evident from the time of Avraham, to whom He made promises such as the Messiah (Avraham) (Genesis 17:7). The Israelites were exceedingly loved by God because of Avraham (II Kings 5:15). However, God has no respect of person (Romans 2:10-11) without conditions (Malachi 4:4; Deuteronomy 28:15). There were times that the Israelites were left by God such as what was recorded in II Chronicles 15:3. During Jeremiah’s time, too, the Israelites experienced the same condition because of their disobedience to God (Jeremiah 32:31-33). Even when the Messiah came here on earth, too, Israel was under the Roman Empire (John 11:48). During World War 2, millions of Israelites were brutally murdered by Hitler and the Nazi Germany. Still, God is faithful concerning His promise to Avraham. The Messiah came to Israel, but they did not accept Him (John 1:11). Still, as recorded in John 4:22: The heathens/gentiles do not know whom they worship, but they know Him: for salvation emanated from the Jews.
Initially, I was happy to hear that the Messiah is a Jew, the seed of Avraham. I really like how the Messiah deals with men – whether they be Israelites or not in the flesh. Hence, I realized that God does not play favorites (Acts 10:34; Ephesians 6:9; Proverbs 28:21; Isaiah 3:9); He has respect for the lowly despite His Highness (Psalms 138:6). ADONAI even showed how obedient His Anointed One (Messiah) was when the latter was manifested in the flesh. Even when He was then existing in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God. Rather He emptied himself by taking the form of a slave and in similitude with men (Colossians 1:15-16; Isaiah 45:23, 53.3; Philippians 2:6-11). He humbled Himself before God even to the point of death as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29) despite the fact that He is of of God (Luke 3:23-38; John 1:1-3, 14; John 1:18).
So, if I were to think again of God’s loving-kindness and mercy for all people, He wants them all to be saved (I Timothy 2:4). I believe the Messiah, who is of the Father in Heaven, was indeed like Him. Thus, the reason why I chose the Messiah as my favorite figure is because there is none like Him because He is God’s Son or Firstborn. I know that some Jews are still waiting for their Messiah, but it is understandable because of hearsay when the Messiah resurrected from the dead (Matthew 28:15). But despite of that fact, some Jews and gentiles still believed in the Messiah because His teachings are True (John 14:6).
So, why is the Messiah important in Judaism? Some of the answers to this question are too many to mention (Eccles. 12:12; John 21:25). The Messiah, as the term means, is the Savior (Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12). He is the Son of God and God’s Fulfillment of His promises to His people. Through Him, the scepter did not depart from Judah (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Genesis 49:10; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Psalms 132:11). Because of Him, God’s promise to Avraham (Exodus 32:13) made his descendants as many as the stars of heaven (Genesis 17:7, 22:17-18; Romans 9:7; Hebrews 11:18) and made them citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). It is the Jerusalem from above, which is free, which is the mother of them all.
The Messiah is God’s love for all men (John 3:16). I like Him very much because of His teachings and wisdom greater than that of Solomon (Luke 11:31; Matthew 12:42). He was with God even before Avraham was (I Peter 1:20; Acts 2:23; Galatians 4:4; Romans 1:3). Because of the Messiah, it only proves beyond all doubts that God is a God that cannot lie (John 3:3). God had solemnly sworn to his prophet David to raise up the Messiah to sit on his throne (Acts 2:30; Psalms 110:1). All the prophesies concerning the Messiah in the Hebrew bible was concerning Him.
Despite that the Messiah came on earth and performed miraculous deeds, there are people who did not believe Him. Some of the Jews during those days boast that they were the seeds of Avraham (John 8:39). The Messiah answered them according to who really they were (John 8:42-44; Matthew 3:9, 12:25). He only speaks the Truth about the Father and that His teachings are not from Him (Luke 20:2). He only did what the Father did (John 5:19). But just like in the olden times, if not for the Messiah, God would have uttered the same words time and again (Genesis 6:6). But God, just like His begotten Son and Messiah, is the God of Love (Jude 1:21) and He is not easily angered – He is compassionate, longsuffering, gracious, and abundant in truth and love (Psalms 86:15).
References
Hebrew Names Version (HNV). Digital Bible. April 21, 2013.
The Complete Jewish Bible (TCJB). Digital Bible. April 21, 2013.
